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Because kids aren't the only ones who deserve a treat from the Easter bunny, moms (and anyone caring for children!) can get in on the fun too.

BASKET

A cute take on a non-traditional Easter basket is to fill something she'll use again and again (like this soft as butter leather tote) with thoughtful, smaller items. This one is oversized and works for all seasons. (The less expensive version in pale pink canvas is here.) Other vessel options that double as gifts: a market basket, straw bag, or cute backpack.

FILLER IDEAS

Water bottle so she'll never have to reach for a plastic bottle again. This one is insulated, making drinks ice cold for 24 hrs, plus it has a straw lid attachment which is a make-or-break feature on water bottles for me. It's made responsibly and gives back to state parks. The one I have is the 32oz and how I feel about that size is like Goldilocks: not too big or too small, just perfect.

Outfit. I love this adorable spring romper by Matter. They have a cool transparent makers process, employing artisans in India. If you have a daughter this little girls dress can be worn for multiple years, as a dress, then tunic, then tank. More info here.

Leather stash clutch. I have this one in multiple colors, I think it combines the best of both form and function. It's roomy enough for my wallet, keys, phone, and it's so nice to travel light and just grab this instead of a purse when I'm out without the baby.

Reusable, well designed grocery bags (great for non-grocery items too!) Cutest colors and prints, ethically made, well priced, and they hold up to 50 lbs while still storing/folding into tiny pockets. Adorable new plant prints for spring are here and here.

Allie Seidel

Hi, I'm Allie.

I'm a mom and Pediatric Speech Therapist, and currently spend my days enjoying those two things. Here I write about DESIGN, MOTHERHOOD, STYLE AT HOME and LIFE in Seattle. Click HERE to read more about me. Say hi at allie@allieseidel.com.

That two kid life can be so crazy at times but then are moments like these that catch my breath and make me remember how fast this is all going. The longest shortest time, the all-in years, the wildest and the most joyful and sometimes the most insane. At Lake Almanor earlier this summer we were sharing bucket list items at a family dinner (and my 92 year old grandma said she wanted to go zip lining so that’s the kind of shoes I get to fill) and I thought about my biggest dreams for this season and realized there are many (take that Disneyland trip we didn’t get to last spring, go skiing as a family) but most importantly, I want to parent from the long-term perspective at the front of my mind. It’s so easy to miss the big picture in the middle of our ordinary, mundane, daily lives, and there are a million tiny tasks to attend to and get lost in when raising small children, but when I can remember what the point of all this is anyways, it shifts my parenting in a major way. It’s not easy to do, but I think it changes everything. Parenting mental challenge, accepted. 🙌🏼

Vancouver was a blast! And insane. The moral of the story is: traveling with kids is a lot of work and takes some strategic planning, but the adventure is worth it. My best tips: high hopes, low expectations, and more snacks. 🙌🏼

So ready. Happy first day, Trey! 🎉

We’ve had to stay close to home for so much of this past year that it felt good to get to leave the COUNTRY. Hello BC. Usually we see friends or family when we travel but this is our first vacation just us! Except it’s not really a vacation since we are responsible for the small children we brought. So basically it’s just parenting and managing the tantrums and handing out snacks in a different location. 😂 Still fun. Still glad we came. Vancouver is a super cool city and I’ll share some highlights in my stories. Happy anniversary/first family trip to us. 🎉

Still finding each other amidst the chaos. 😂 It’s our 6th anniversary today! What a year it has been for us. Unexpected, complicated, stressful, but we navigated it together and we now have a stronger, richer marriage for it. Happy to celebrate every year, but especially this one. ✨

As of next week this room will be home to a preschooler! 🍎 We’re starting to think about chores and the message we want to send with that. I’m convinced there is no one right way to parent, even among siblings, and so much of it is trial and error (and we have definitely had our share of errors). 😂 We’re trying out a few things including that beautiful chore chart by @mydaughterflorence_. So far it’s been lighthearted and encouraging and a fun way to focus on the positive. (A good reminder for us all.) 🙌🏼

Three months with this smiley girl who lights up our whole lives. ✨

I know there are no guarantees in life so I never really expected to have a girl, but now that I’m here I just have one question. How many bows is too many? 😂🙋🏻‍♀️🎀😍